Terms and Conditions
Use of the website www.onlinedoctorconsult.com.au (the 'Site') is subject to these terms of service ('Terms') and all applicable laws, either of which may be revised or varied at any time without notice. By accessing or using the Site, You accept and agree to be bound by these Terms, as varied from time to time.
Online Doctor Consult
We operate an online platform to facilitate the treatment of people ('Patients') by Australian registered General Practitioners ('Doctors') via teleconference and/or videoconference.
The Doctors we work with offer medical consultations ('Consultations') with Patients who book appointments using the Site by examining and taking their medical history via tele/videoconference and other technologies, without physically examining them or meeting them in person ('Telehealth').
Many factors may impact on the availability of Doctors or the operation of technology and whilst We endeavour to make Telehealth available at all times, the making of a booking on the Site does not guarantee that medical treatment will be available at a specified time, or at all.
You acknowledge and agree that We are not a medical or healthcare provider and are not liable for any medical or healthcare services booked using the Site. All medical and healthcare related queries should be directed to a Doctor. We do not warrant or represent that any particular medication or treatment (including medication or treatment provided by a Doctor during a Consultation) is safe, appropriate or effective.
Information contained on the Site (other than information provided by a Doctor during a Consultation) does not constitute medical or healthcare advice. Patients should not rely upon information on the Site as a substitute for obtaining specific advice from a Doctor or other qualified healthcare practitioner.
The services offered by the Site are not suitable for serious medical conditions, medical emergencies or matters requiring immediate or urgent treatment ('Emergencies'). If You require treatment for a serious medical condition or require immediate or urgent medical assistance, You should contact emergency services on 000 or attend the nearest hospital emergency centre.
The services offered by the Site are not intended to be a substitute for the ongoing involvement of your usual GP or other medical professional responsible for managing your day-to-day health needs. Patients are encouraged to schedule follow-up visits with their primary physician help facilitate proper management of their conditions and continuation of care.
The effectiveness of any Doctor's service is dependent on complete and truthful answers to all questions asked to assess the appropriateness of treatments and medications for Patients. The Patient (or guardian of a Patient, if applicable) understands and agrees that they must: answer all questions asked; be accurate and fulsome in their answers; and report any new symptoms or worsening of condition.
You acknowledge and agree that We are not liable for the care of a Patient or for any medical, healthcare or other advice (including prescriptions) given by a Doctor.
We are not liable for, and You indemnify Us (and our related bodies corporate and their respective officers, employees and consultants) against any and all claims, actions, proceedings, losses, liabilities and expenses (including legal expenses on a full indemnity basis) in any way arising from or relating to: any treatment, advice or information provided during a Consultation and any other services provided by a Doctor to a Patient (including any medications prescribed by a Doctor and the quality or suitability of any services provided by a Doctor); any personal injury, mishap or death or any alleged or actual malpractice or negligence by any Doctor.
Regarding the use of the Site (Online Doctor Consult):
The Site offers a convenient service for Patients with straightforward, non-emergency medical needs. By accessing the Site, You acknowledge and agree that:
You are at least 18 years of age and (one of) the Patient or their legal guardian, parent or health attorney. You will provide proof of identity with a driver's license or other legal document if requested to do so;
The Patient is not suffering dangerous or unusual symptoms (e.g. suddenly decreased or blurred vision, severe headaches, inexplicable pain or nausea, fainting spells, bleeding, numbness or tingling/pins and needles in any part of the body, chest pain);
The need for the Consultation is unconnected with an accident or injury, regardless of cause;
The Patient does not require a prescription of any 'schedule 8' (narcotic) medicines;
We do not represent, warrant or guarantee the quality of any medical advice provided by a Doctor during a Consultation or otherwise;
We do not guarantee that a Doctor will hold any additional qualification or specialist knowledge and We are not responsible for the manner in which a Consultation is conducted or the quality of any medical advice provided;
If either You or the Patient are hard of hearing, during the Consultation You/they will have a hearing assistance device;
You are responsible personally for the costs of the Consultation in accordance with these Terms;
If, during a Consultation, a Doctor considers that the Patient needs further treatment or examination, You will seek that as soon as possible (and that neither We, nor the Doctor, are responsible for following-up Patients);
Any medication or other treatment prescribed by a Doctor will be solely for the Patient's own personal use and You will not allow any other person to take medication that has been prescribed to a Patient;
If a Doctor prescribes medication or a treatment for a Patient, and the Patient suffers from any noticeable side-effects, You will notify Us so that the Doctor can fulfil their duty of after-care.
Payments and Refunds
Payment options are displayed on the Site. You agree to pay all fees or charges in accordance with these Terms and the fees and charges in effect at the time a fee or charge is due and payable.
The Consultation fee will be refunded if the Doctor cancels the appointment, or if there is a technological failure that prevents an effective Consultation between Patient and Doctor. Technological failure is assessed and logged by the Doctor. The Consultation fee is generally not refundable.
We cannot guarantee that a Doctor assigned to take a Consultation will be available at the appointed time. However, if a Doctor is unavailable, we will endeavour to source an alternate and will notify you as soon as possible in the event that your Consultation is cancelled.
We respect a Patient's right to nominate their preference of Doctor (e.g. the gender of their Doctor or the ability to speak a language other than English) and if possible We will accommodate preferences, but whether or not We can do so is dictated by availability.
The duration of each Consultation is up to 10 minutes. Neither We nor any other person guarantees that the Patient can be diagnosed and a treatment plan finalised within that time period. The Patient may end the Consultation at any time, however will be charged for a full 10 minute Consultation.
A Doctor has full discretion to: interrupt or re-schedule a Consultation; discontinue a Consultation; or decline to treat You / the Patient, for any reason they consider reasonable.
Complex medical problems may not be suitable for Telehealth Consultation as they may require a longer time than 10 minutes. In most cases it will not be an option to extend your Consultation beyond the initial 10 minutes, however arrangements can be made with the Doctor to book a further appointment at another time if appropriate.
How a Consultation is conducted (including any follow-up of a questionnaire received for a prescription) is up to the Doctor and may include video, telephone or a combination of these things. Email, instant messaging and fax may not be used for Consultations. You will, however, be required to provide an email address in case the Doctor wishes to send paperwork to You or the Patient after the Consultation.
Please note that no communications between a Doctor and a Patient is authorised outside of the allocated Consultation time without the prior written approval of the Doctor.
Privacy Policy
We are required to comply with the obligations under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). We respect your right to privacy and have devoted considerable effort toward ensuring that Your personal information is secure.